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#BlackLivesMatter: Bernie Sanders Declares Racism His Priority at LA Event

© AP Photo / Carolyn KasterSen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., smiles as he is asked about running for president during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., smiles as he is asked about running for president during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday - Sputnik International
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Symone Sanders, 2016 presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders' new national press secretary, told a massive crowd in Los Angeles Monday evening that combating racism will be one of the candidate’s priorities going forward. It comes amid pressure from activists nationwide for the self-proclaimed socialist's campaign to address the issue more directly.

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Friday, June 19, 2015, in Las Vegas - Sputnik International
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After Black Lives Matter protesters took over the mic at a Sanders event in Seattle on Saturday, the senator, who has a lengthy record of fighting for civil rights, has made it a stronger priority to be vocal about his stance.

Sanders has long been fighting against the persecution of people of color in the US, even ending this speech in 1991 with a bold statement about how blacks are disproportionately punished by the country's criminal justice system.

While rival Hillary Clinton was a member of the Young Republicans in the 1960s, Sanders marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and took part in sit-in’s for equal rights.  His fight has continued to this day.

"It is very important that we say the words 'black lives matter,'” Symone Sanders said in her speech before the candidate took the stage. "But it's also important to have people in political office who are going to turn those words into action. No candidate for president is going to fight harder for criminal justice reform and racial justice issues than Senator Bernie Sanders."

Earlier in the day, actress and comedian Sarah Silverman made a guest appearance at an event at which Sanders spoke in Oakland where he was formally endorsed by National Nurses United, the largest organization of US nurses with 185,000 members.

Mara Jacqueline Willaford, left, holds her fist overhead as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., waves to greet the crowd before speaking at a rally Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, in downtown Seattle. - Sputnik International
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During the event, a nurse called in and asked Sanders how he would address racism within the criminal justice system.

"When we talk about creating a new America, at the top of our list is the end of racism in all its ugly forms," the senator said. "All of us were nauseated, when we have seen the videos… we know that if those folks were white they would not be dragged out of cars and thrown into jails."

"Senator, do black lives matter to you?" a woman in the crowd asked.

"Yes," Sanders replied.

Supporters are hopeful that answer will help assuage left-leaning activists’ concerns.

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